SRES 747 is a 2022 Senate resolution expressing support for U.S. military cooperation with Finland and Sweden *before* their full NATO membership. It encourages the President to advance specific interim steps, including joint training exercises, technology sharing (like cybersecurity), and infrastructure coordination, to improve how Finland and Sweden's militaries work with U.S. and NATO forces. The resolution does not create new laws but urges the U.S. government to strengthen interoperability in areas like command systems, logistics, and Arctic operations, while also calling on all NATO members to take similar actions. It directly affects U.S. defense policy implementation regarding Finland and Sweden's NATO accession process.
Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act or the PLAN for Broadband Act This bill directs the President to develop and implement a national strategy to improve the coordination and management of federally supported programs for expanding access to and adoption of broadband internet. The President must coordinate with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on the strategy's implementation. The Government Accountability Office must study the effectiveness of the strategy and its implementation and make recommendations for improvement.
Security to Avoid Violence in Educational Settings Act or the SAVES Act This bill transfers certain funds to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to carry out a grant program for school safety and security. Specifically, the bill transfers funds appropriated for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities (currently known as the Department of Energy's Renew America's Schools Program) to DOJ for the grant program. DOJ must award grants to states (and states must provide subgrants to eligible entities, such as local educational agencies and schools) for planning and designing school buildings and facilities, installing infrastructure, and implementing technology or other measures that strengthen security on school premises.
No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Alien Abortions Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using federal funds to (1) pay for an abortion except if the life of the mother is endangered or the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest, or (2) require any person to perform or facilitate any abortion.
National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2021 This bill generally revises the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and reauthorizes the program through FY2026. The bill addresses NFIP coverage, cost, and availability, including by generally prohibiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from raising certain premiums, surcharges, and fees more than 9% a year for five years; revising flood insurance coverage limits; establishing a means-tested program to provide financial assistance to low income households through policy discounts; and revising standards and certification requirements for flood insurance rate maps. The bill also revises administrative provisions of the NFIP, including by allowing for the continuous operation of the NFIP during a lapse in appropriations, and prohibiting the Department of the Treasury from charging FEMA interest for NFIP debt for five years. The bill sets forth requirements for Write Your Own companies related to reimbursements, agent commissions, and penalties for underpayment of claims. (A Write Your Own company writes and services federal standard flood insurance policies in its own name.) The bill establishes state or tribal government revolving funds for flood mitigation activities and also provides for loans, grants, and other incentives regarding mitigation.
Raising Expectations with Child Opportunity Vouchers for Educational Recovery Act or the RECOVER Act This bill directs local educational agencies to use certain federal COVID-19 relief funds to address student learning loss by distributing direct financial assistance (i.e., Child Opportunity Scholarships) to the parent or guardian of an eligible student for certain qualified educational expenses (e.g., educational materials, tutoring, or private school tuition). Eligible student refers to a child who is a member of a household with an income that is not more than 300% of the federal poverty level.
Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act This bill specifies that private health insurers may not limit, restrict, or condition benefits for renal dialysis services for individuals with end-stage renal disease as compared to other types of benefits for other medical conditions under Medicare secondary payer rules.
Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act This bill addresses economic and political development in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), including by supporting anti-corruption and trade initiatives.
Data-Driven Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention Act of 2022 This bill requires state plans for child welfare services to provide for the development and implementation of a family partnership plan to improve foster care placement stability, increase rates of kinship placements, and align the racial and ethnic composition of foster and adoptive families with that of children in need of homes.
Lifting Local Communities Act This bill specifies that religious organizations are eligible to apply for and receive federal funds to provide services for social services programs (i.e., programs for low-income individuals) on the same basis as private, nonreligious organizations. Additionally, government entities may not discriminate against private organizations on the basis of religion when selecting funding recipients.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2022 This bill provides financial and technical assistance to states, territories, and the District of Columbia for the purposes of (1) recovering species listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act or under state law, or (2) avoiding the need to list species under such laws. For example, the bill establishes the Endangered Species Recovery and Habitat Conservation Legacy Fund. A portion of the fund must be used to establish an Endangered Species Recovery Grant Program. It also provides funding for (1) the conservation or restoration of wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need; (2) the wildlife conservation strategies of states, territories, or the District of Columbia; and (3) wildlife conservation education and recreation projects. The Department of the Interior must use a portion of the funding for a grant program. The grants must be used for innovative recovery efforts for species of greatest conservation need, species listed as endangered or threatened species, or the habitats of such species. In addition, the bill requires certain revenues generated from fees and penalties for violations of environmental requirements to be used as a source for the funding.
SRES 729 is a Senate resolution designating the week beginning November 7, 2022, as "National Pregnancy Center Week." It recognizes community-supported pregnancy centers across the United States for providing services like counseling, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and material resources to individuals facing pregnancy decisions. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally acknowledges these centers' work through symbolic recognition. It highlights their role in serving over 2 million people annually, though the resolution itself has no binding policy effect.
